Asnet Technologies has launched VideoNet Unite, a high-definition video conferencing service that allows government ministries and agencies to connect and collaborate, significantly increasing productivity and saving costs for New Zealand taxpayers.

The cloud-based service, which has already been successfully trialled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), was officially launched to an audience of government agency representatives.

Eric Greenop, Managing Director of Asnet Technologies says the service is set to transform the way these government entities operate and interact by creating ‘Virtual Meeting Rooms’, where multiple government agencies can participate by signing in through a simple pin number at their respective locations, thereby enabling the inter-agency video conference.

“Currently, most government departments are unable to independently connect with each other using their existing video conferencing technology. This makes frequent travel and its associated financial and time costs necessary for government departments when required to collaborate on wider government projects,” says Greenop

“VideoNet Unite effectively allows these public entities to share infrastructure, delivering internal value and saving money for the taxpayer."

Greenop says that the solution is a great step forward in realising the government’s statedobjectives for reducing costs through effective use of IT.

“This is a great example of a ‘real world’ application of the Department of Internal Affair’s guidance to ministries to seek out Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) options when evaluating future IT requirements. This managed service will effectively rationalise the delivery of ICT infrastructure for the government.”

Greenop says as one of the first agencies to trial and adopt VideoNet Unite, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) wanted to embrace video conferencing to connect its overseas offices to its Wellington Headquarters as cost effectively as possible.

At the same time, he says New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) were considering whether to replace its aging infrastructure through capital expense or utilise a managed service. Ultimately, NZTE selected VideoNet from Asnet Technologies to provide management, bridging and gateway services.

“As MFAT shares 13 global sites with NZTE, the mutual adoption of VideoNet enables MFAT access to this shared footprint for minimal investment. The MFAT head office in Wellington now easily communicates with all NZTE offices globally.”

Asnet Technologies is the first company to offer such a video collaboration service in New Zealand, and invited government agencies to participate in a trial of the system for the rest of this year at no cost. He says the aim is to have a significant number of departments fully operational and collaborating with ease, via their own controlled Virtual Meeting Room before 2013.